Billie Jean King to Miss Opening Ceremony

Billie Jean King won’t make it to Sochi as part of the U.S. delegation named by President Barack Obama.

King, 70, said in a statement that her mother’s failing health will prevent her from making the trip.

Reuters

Billie Jean King

She is among the gay former athletes Obama named to the delegation in a statement against a controversial Russian law banning “homosexual propaganda.”

The Russian law outlawing “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations” mandates stiff fines and jail terms for holding gay pride events, speaking in defense of gay rights or to saying gay relationships are equal to heterosexual ones. Although ostensibly intended to protect minors, the bill is written so broadly that it effectively amounts to an outright ban.

Also in the delegation are Caitlin Cahow, a gay Olympic silver medalist in hockey, and gold-medal figure skater Brian Boitano, who announced that he is gay after being named to the delegation.

“It is important for me to be with my mother and my brother at this difficult time,” King said in her statement. “I want to thank President Obama for including me in this historic mission and I look forward to supporting our athletes as they compete in Sochi.”

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